Rotary-valve structure



March 2o, 192ss Y 1,663,075

- P. G.' FRAZIER l ROTARY VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Julylo. 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 20, 1928. 1,663,075

, P. G. FRAZER Y ROTARY VALVEl STRUCTURE` Filed July lo. 1924 6 sheets-Sheet 2 March 2o, 1923. 1,663,075I

P. G. FRAZIER ROTARY VALVE STRUCTUR:

Filed July l0, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet ,5'

March 20, J1928.

1,663,075 P G. FRAzlER ROTARY VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Jul-3110. 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 20, 1928.

ROTARY VALVE sTUcTURE Filed July 1o, 1924 e sheets-sheet 5 z/eff l 27622K/ azz'ef :11,663,075 P. G. FRAZER Patented. Mar. 20.1928. l

:PEARL e. rnazinn, or Iowa.'

norAar-vALvn srauc'frunn.

Application mea my v1o, 1924. vsemaine.1125,14?.

The purpose of my invention is to provide 'a rotary valve structure adapted for use m internal ccombustionengines and also for a great variety of other uses.,

-A further purpose of my mvention is to provide in such a structure novel meansffor mounting the vvalve for providing for expansion and contraction.

Stillv another purpose is to provide in such a structure means for affording complete and properly regulated lubrication for the rotary valve and adjacentparts.

A further ob'ect-is to provide in combination with such a valve an engine head of simple and novel structure which can ber made inexpensively and is peculiarly adaptable for convenient assembling and disassembling for permitting easy access to the parts.

With theseand other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the Various partis of my rotary valve structure, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, andY illustrated in the laccompanying drawings, in which: j

Figure 1 shows va longitudinal, ysectional view through a rotary valve structure embodying my invention.

Figure 2 shows a detail, sectional View taken on -the-line .2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail, sectionallview taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of- .the roller lubricating members.

Figure 5 is 'a perspective of one ofthe roller members. Y

Figure 6 is a sectional View of a modified form of the rotary valve illustrating the roller lubricating members in end elevation.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a slightly dilerent form of the rotary valve structure.

Figure 8 is an elevation of one of the bearing sleeves. j f

Figure 9 is an elevation of the sleeve taken at right anglesl to the view shown in Figure 8.

one of the ball bearing units.

Figure 11 `is a longitudinal, sectional view o f a slightly different form. of the rotary valve structure.

Figure 10'V is adiagrammatic elevation of Figure 12 is an elevation of a form of the rotary valve illustrating part of the lubricating means.

Fi e .13 is aplan view of one ofthe adjusta le bearing plates.

` F1gure'14 is a side elevation of the same. -Fi ure 15 is a transverse, vertical sectiona viewof a slightly diil'erent'form of rotary valve structure embodiedin an enf gine head. 1

Figure 16 is an elevation of one form of valve. f

Figure 17 is an elevation of a sleeve used with the'form of engine head `shown in Figure 15.

.Figure 18 is a plan of a leaf springsused with the formof device shown' in Flgures 15 and 17; and

Figurev 19 is a side elevation of said leaf sprlng structure.

While my improved rotary valve may be employed in a great variety of environments, I have illustrated it herein in connection with a rotaryl engine body and head.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to illustrate an engine block having the cylinder 11 in which is mounted the ordinary piston 12. The body .or block 10 is provided with the 1 water jacket structure 13.

Above the body 10 is a head, comprised of the lower part 14 and the upper part 15. j The lower part 14 of the head 1s provided with a vertical opening or passage 16 above the combustionchamber ofthe cylinder 12 and the upper head portion 15 is shaped to receive arotary valve 17 above the passage 16, having the reduced spindle shaped por jacket 19 and thenpper portion 15 has Athe Water jacket 20 and the intake and exhaust passages 21 and 22 extending from the valve chamber through the water jacket.

` The valve has a passage 23 'extendingI through it. Received in, the opening 16 k1s a tubular sleeve 24, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8,

formingabearing for the lower part of the valve.`

. 10 ures 1 and 10, each comprising a boxing28jforming one ball race, which is square in utline,` and the balls 29, and the inner tubular ball race 30 received on the spindle.

' The ends ofthe engine head have the l cover plates31and 32 closing the valve chamber at the ends.

The plate 32 is provided with an opening 33throughwhich one of the 'spindle portions 18 projects, as shown in Figure 1 In the form lof the device shown in Figure 1, spring receiving cups 34 are screwed into the heads, as shown in Figure 1, to rec eive coil springs 35 upon which rest platesl .3 6 (see Figuresl' and 13). v

One end of each plate 36 rests beneath one of the lugs 27, as-shown in Figure' -1, and the other end rests beneath one of the ball bearing boxings 28.` This is 'an impor? tant feature of the structureof the present invention, insomuch as it provides for tight bearings while also'providing for expansion.- vand* contraction. 1 f

If the valveexpands, the plate 36 may be .forced downwardly against the springs N 35 suiiicient to take -care of the expansion. When the partscontract, the springsgwill force v'the plates 36 upwardly, raising the ball bearing and the sleeve 24 for maintaining a'tight bearing for the valve and for 40 preventing any possible binding of the valve.

In the 'form of the device shown in Figures 1,2 and 3, I rovide at the sides of the' v "alv'fe,`.1 'ollerv lu ricating devices. The head members 14 and 15 are cut away to re-j I 45 ceive rollers 37 on opposite sides of the enlarged body portion 17 of the valve. as shown for instance in Figure 3. fSliding' bars 38- form bearings for the outer surfaces Vof therollers37 'and are pressed toward the rollers 37 for thus holding the rollers 37 .in

zconta'ct jwith thevalve 17 v by Vmeans of# springs 3 9, shown in Figure 3. The bars 38.' have passages l10exte`nding lengthwise thereof for oil, andy short-,passages 41 extending i 55 -from 'the passages`40 to the bearing faces of said bars for carrying lubricant to the roller.

vlubricating members 37.

It' win bessen that the rollers erwin;

' l v'carry the oil tofthefsurface ofthe valve -17 Q vIt is my belief that' the contact ofi'therollers 3 7 with the valve17 willcause the --.rotatioi!;-0f the rollers 37, butfor the pur' ose of insuring 'tive rotation `of the roLers, I have provided the vfollowing means:

la Aube ends of the-body portion 1r of the -whichthepassage 50 is found.'

sages57 areprovided for conducting lu riof the sleeve 24. v

communicate with similar tubes 58 -bywhich- 'lubricant is -conducted to passages 59 com-- valve are provided holes 42 properly located to receive pins or the like 43.

Supported at the ends of 'the rollers 37 are star wheels or the like 44 arranged to coact with the pins 43i`n such manner that 70 the rotation of the valvewill impart rota.- t-ion to the rollers 37. The pins 43 are so located-that the rollers 37 will not be positively actuated when the ends of the passage 23 are passing the rollers 37.

In Figure v7 is illustrated a'slightly different form of my invention, in which there are the engine head'members 14 and 15. and the other-parts as heretofore described, ex- Y cepting, however, that the removable spring receiving cups 35 are omitted, and I substitute for the plates'36 and springs 35,

curved leaf springs 45,` the central`portions of which bear against the head member 14 and the 4'ends .of which bear against the boxin 28 and the lug` 27 in each instance.' n F igure 11 is shown a slightly different form ofmy invention in which the springs i 35 are mounted in cups 46 formed .integral with the ,lower engine head member 14.

The other parts aresimilar to the device' s hown in Figure 1 with.A the following exceptions. Atthe end of the valveadjacent to the plate 31, the reduced vspindle portion 18 Y'is provided with. a recess 47 receiving a ball 48 and a spring 49 for pressing the ball,

It will thus be seen that it-he `ball 48 and A spring 49 provide for lengthwise expansion 100' -of'the valve. v

` Furthermore, I .have provided infth'e device' shown in Figure 11, a slightly different form of lubricating means. l A. passage 50 extends lengthwise throughthelonger spindle member 18 almostto the body of vthe valve 17 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 11.- A vby-pass 51 extends from'the passage 16 to a passage 52 through the boxing 28 of one vofthe ball bear-ing assemblies. j

The inner end ofthe passage 5() 'is-conimunicated with by two byasses {i3-and 54 leading tothe exterior 'oft i'e spindle 18 in lTubes 55 communicate Withthe passages 54' and` with passages-56 extending lengthwise through the valve body 17.. Short 'ascant from the passages 56 tor the bearing portion of the head 15 and to the upper surface ."At the opposite end'Y of thevalve from( that having theqtubes 55,.the. passages '56 n iuniating with a passage V60..,.ext. `endin,r

lengthwise of the shorter spindle member 18 tothe opening47. A passage 61 extendsfrm the opening 47 1an 4' to the exterior of the spindle 18 now under consideration for conducting lubricant toy a i invention shown in Figure 15, the

s as to provide properly passage .62 through the ball ,bearing member 28 to the ball bearings.

. In Figure 12, I'have shown a valve provided with a slightly dierent lubricating means.- In Figure 12, I have shown the valve of a type used for a plurality ot cyl- .inders,the valve having the valve bodies 17 connected by a short spindle 18a and having at their opposite ends spindle portions 63 and 64.

An oil passage 66 extends lengthwise of the spindle 63 and thence laterally to the surface thereof, as at 67. A tube 68 leads from the passage 67 to a passage 69 extending longitudinally through the valve 17a. Bypasses 70 lead from the passage 16a to the exterior of the valve 17a. The passages 69 of the valve 17 a are located diametrically opposite each other. in the respective valve bodies 17 a and they are connected by a tube 71 extending spirally around the connecting spindle 18.

A tube 72 leads from the passage 69 ot the right-hand valve body 17a to a passage 73 through the spindle 64 for bearings of the spindle 64. 1

-In FigureV 15, v.Ihave shown my rotary valve 17 vmounted in a one-piece engine head 74.

In the form lubricating the sleeve 24L is slipped into position' from below. The sleeve 24a differs from the sleeve 24 in that it has grooves or the like 75 to receive the ends of leaf springs 45 of the kind already described. i

- A valve structure of the kind herein described has a large number of advantages, many .of which will be obvious from the 'foregoing description.

It will be seen in sleeve 24, shown in Figure 1, and the sleeve 24, shown in Figure 15, are'of very simple and inexpensive construction as .compared with other devices heretofore used for somewhat similar purposes.

The structure shown in Figure 1 is such contraction of the valve and thel adjacent j 4parts insomuch as the opening in the engine' o0 sleeves 24 are head, which receives. the valve, part of the sleeve'24 andthe ballbearing assemblings vislarge enough-to allow-some 4vertical. movement of the sleeve 24 and the ball bearingassemblings; 5 Yet by means of the plates 36 and springs; 35, the ball bearing assemblings and t yieldinglyv lheld at their upper limit of movement. J l g Any compression in the engine cylinder will tend to force the valve. upwardly against e5 'force it downwardly against the springs35.

the firm-bearings, but will' never .tend to spring cups of the embodiment of the' the niet piace that the.

forth'e expansion and the upper There are'thus provided bearings for the valve, which are at all times tight and which yet provide for the expansion and contraction in such binding of the valve.

It, of course, is obvious that where the 34 are used to screw into position, their position maybe varied for regulating the tension ot' thesprings 35.

It will be noted that I have provided in this form of the device'particularly as shown a way asto prevent any in Figures 3 andl 6, the rotary lubricating rollers 37 for providing oil to the adjacent' parts.

- If the frictional engagement between the valve and the rolle1s'37 is sufficient to impart rotation to the rollers, itwill be seen that the speed of rotation of the rollers will vary according to the the valve for thus increasingthe lubrication when the valve rotates rapidly and decreasino it when the valve rotates slowly.

valve and lhe same result is, of course, accomplished if the rollers are rotated by means of the positive actuating devices shown in Figure 6. devices shown in Figures 7 to 11 embody the same general -principles as theI spring pressurey devices illustrated in Figure 1.

f In Figures 11 and 12 are shown different types of lubricating means in which centrif ugal force is employed for facilitating the flow of lubricant.

In Figure 15, is engine head which can be made at a very low expense and vyet can be used with a rotary valve and the bearings therefor, so constructed and arranged as to provide for tak'' ing care of expansion and contraction of the valve and the adjacent parts.

It will, of course, lbe understood that the valve structure may be modified for use with engines of diierent numbers of'cylinders.

The valve structure can be employed ina water-cooled engine of the type herein lillustrated, but it can. also be used with engines of the air-cooled type.

speed ot' rotation of shown 4a structure of any The modified form of the spring pressurel Avalve of thi'stype could be used in steam i 'installations or for compressed air or a great variety of purposes, as well as 4for `taking care of the fuel and exhaust gases of the internal combustion engines.

It shouldperhaps both oiling systems, to-wit, that illustrated in Figure v3 and that illustrated 'in Figurey 11, the oil is supplied to the valve oiling system by pressure be mentioned that with nary way, and that in the form of structure shown in Figure valve bearing 'surfaces by the'rollers 37, while in the -form shown'in Figure 11, the oil is supplied through -the passages and tubes shown therein andabove described, to

the valve bearing surfaces.

shown in Figure 3, the valve and adj a- 3, oil is'lsupplied to the Y traction,

cent parts are arranged for one-quarter timing. The passage 23 ,registers with the intake passage 21 and the opening through the sleeve 24 for taking in fuel. Then during the upward movement of the piston for compression, and its downward forcin stroke, the passage 23 is closed by theanti-c ockwise movement of the valve. On the next up ward stroke of therpiston, the passa e 23 registers with the sleeve and the ex aust passage 22 for exhausting the burnt gases. Thus during the four cycle movement of the piston, the valvemakes one revolution.

Changes may be made in 'the details of the structure and arrangement of the arts 0f my improved rotary valve device wit out departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it'is my intention to cover .by my claims, any

use of mechanical equivalents, which modified forms of structure or may be reasonably included within their 1. In a' rotary valve/structure, a valve chamber, a passage communicating therewith, a rota 'valve mounted -in'said chambifer, a sleeve in said passage having no parts o of the passage and" having grooves, Said sleeve lbeing mounted forslight vertical adjustment to take care of expansion and congioovesfor imparting yielding .pressure on saidqSleeve 1n one direction.

chamber,

' with, a rotary valve mounted in said cham'- r, a sleeve in said passage, bearings in for slighty vertical adjustmentto take'care of expansion yielding pressure combination'A of and means for im arting on said bearings an sleeve m one direction for making a tight joint, said means including in ,ea'ch instance a and contraction,

spring-pressed' `element engagingl one of 'thebearings and sleeve.

3. In a structure of the class described,the an enginel cylinder having a a reduced, vertical passage atits-upper en valve chamber extending transversely labove 'the passage, atsleeve insaid assage projecting into the valve chamber aving no parts of a maximum diameter greater than that contraction, and means for yiel of the passage, whereby the sleeve may be inserted into the passage from :the cylinder, said sleeve being mounted for slight vertical take care of, ex ansion and"V ingly press-v l passage, said bearings being ca able of adjustment to ing the sleeve toward the valve. t 4. a rotary valve structure, a-cylmder, ,a valve chamber, a' passage between the c la Vrotary, vave passage adapted to be slipped into Athe pas:

a maximum diameter greater than that and means kprojected into said.

n a rota-ry valve struc-ture, a valve. a passage communicating theresaid sleeve and' a sleeve in saidsage from the cylinder and projecting into the chamber, for said valve, said sleeve being mounted for slight verticall adjustment to take' care' of expansion and contraction, and means :for imparting'yielding pressure on said sleeve in one direction for making valve. l

6.v In a rotary valve structure, va. valve Ichamber, a passage communicating therewith, a rotary valve mounted in `said cham ber, a sleeve in ,said chamber for said valve, said sleeveand said bearingspbeing mounted for slight vertical adjustment to take care of expansion and contraction, and means for imparting yielding pressure on one ldirection for making a' tight. joint,

adapted when tensioned -by expansion adja# cent to thev sleeve to exert greater pressureon the bearings,v and when tensioned by exeing mounted for v lengthwise expansion and contraction of the passage,bearings in said said bearingsa'nfd sleeve in pansion adjacent to the bearings to' exert greater pressure onthe sleeve. 4

v7. In a rotary valve structure, a valve chamber, a passage communicating therewith, a rotary r, a sleeve in said passage, chamber for saidvalve, said sleeve and said 'bearings being mounted 'for .slight' vertical vadjustment to take care o fexpansion and valve-mounted in said chambearings in: said v los contraction, and means for imparting yield-' ing pressure on said bearings and. sleeve vin one direction for making av tight joint, and

means for providing 'for len sion and contraction of the va being carried by the valve' to travel bodily therewith in thel expansion or contraction of the valve toward ior froml and including a spring in the valveand an anti-friction device interposed between the spring and the end of the valve chamber.

thwise expan- 8. In a structure ofthe class described, aI valve casing havin a valve `chamber there-v in, a passage exten ing through 'said casing and communicating with said chamber, a valve 1n said chamber,

`-sageformin af bearing for saidvalve, bearve, said means` lll) said passage,

lll

a sleeve inl saidl pas- I ings for sai valve on opposite sides .of said i slight movement in directions at rig t angles to the longitudinal 4adapted. to bear against one of the bearings said bar having means for supplying lubriand'against the sleeve. cant to the rotary Amember and thus to the 9. In a structure of the class fdescribed, valve, and means for yieldingly pressing the 10 a rotary valve chamber, a cylindricalrotary bar against the rotary member. 5 valve` therein, a rotary member arranged Des Moines, Iowa, July 7, 1924.

, alon side said valve to rotate therewith, a e slidzilebar adjacent to the rotary member, PEARL G. FRAZIER. 

